Nippon and Navajo: Yanks-Sox Gamer I

Masahiro Tanaka is facing the Red Sox (and pitching at Fenway Park) for the first time. Given his K rate and ERA and given the Red Sox’ lethargic offense on the season, I predict, oh, let’s say, 11 strikeouts for the guys in red and white. Luckily, the other guy starting today is usually pretty good also. Jon Lester, vanquisher of cancer and owner of three great World Series starts (and wins), is that other guy. Also, Jacoby Ellsbury returns to Fenway as a Yankee. I’ll predict about two-thirds of the crowd cheers the two-time World Series champ in his first plate appearance (unlike Johnny Damon, Ellsbury never claimed he wouldn’t follow money to the Yankees)…followed by boos and boos and boos thereafter…particularly if he shines in his job of getting on first base and stealing the rest of them.